Polaroid announces Socialmatic, the Android powered camera and printer in one

Android powered camera / printer makes sharing memories fun

Polaroid has taken an idea that many have had in the past, and they are bringing it to consumers with their latest creation, Socialmatic. This crazy looking device looks quite similar to the Instagram icon but it is actually a camera and printer, all in one. Beyond just being any camera, it is powered by Android, and on the back of the device it features a 4.5 inch touch screen to allow for easy navigation.

On the front of the device Polaroid has included a 13MP camera, and on the back there is a 2MP camera in case you really need to take yet another selfie. The Socialmatic will also include built in wifi, so sharing the pictures that you take on it to your favorite social media networks will be quick and easy.

One of the neatest parts of the device is that it features a built in printer which doesn't even require ink. Printing pictures is quick and easy making use of Polaroid's 2 X 3 inch ink-free paper which they call Zero Ink (ZINK) paper. The images that are printed are smudge-proof as well as being water and tear resistant.

No more snapping images on your mobile device of your family and having to email them off, instead you can just print them right then and there, with no worries.

Polaroid has yet to announce a price for the Socialmatic but they have stated that the device will ship in the fall of 2014, so we're going to have to wait a bit.

“Combining the Polaroid heritage with our new social network technology and the ZINK Technology, we can introduce a unique and innovative camera to consumers.”
Polaroid today announced that an agreement has been finalized between licensee C&A Licensing, LLC and Socialmatic LLC through which the Polaroid Socialmatic instant camera will be produced and brought to market in 2014. A unique blend of the old and new schools, the Polaroid Socialmatic camera combines the nostalgic appeal of vintage Polaroid instant cameras with the modern convenience of being able to instantly connect and share via major social media networks using the camera’s built in Wi-Fi® and Android™ interface. The Polaroid Socialmatic camera will be on display in the Polaroid Booth #13613 at the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show.

"We are very excited about the partnership with Socialmatic and the pending launch of this remarkable camera," said Scott W. Hardy, President and CEO of Polaroid. "Polaroid was the original social network: allowing people to instantly capture, print and share life’s moments in a way that had never been possible before. This relationship with Socialmatic allows Polaroid to come full circle and once again allow people to capture and share images in ways that are only possible with a Polaroid camera in their hands.”

Instant Posting

The Polaroid Socialmatic camera will change the way consumers look at digital cameras with its unique square shape and vintage design. Consumers will have the choice of using the 14 megapixel front-side camera or 2 megapixel rear-side camera to capture and immediately post images to their favorite social networking sites, via built in Wi-Fi. If Wi-Fi isn’t immediately available, the camera will easily pair with consumer’s smartphones via Bluetooth® to enable instant sharing from virtually anywhere.

Zero Ink® Digital Printing

Of course, the Polaroid Socialmatic camera will allow users to select, print and share images instantly on ZINK Paper® featuring the ink-free Zero Ink® Printing technology by ZINK Imaging. Prior to printing, images can be touched up, edited, and consumers can add clip art, icons, or text to any image prior to printing or posting. When ready, the user just presses print and the Socialmatic camera will automatically print a 2X3 inch full-color sticker-backed ZINK photo in under a minute.

Easy to Use

The Polaroid Socialmatic camera will utilize an Android operating system, providing consumers with a familiar, easy to use interface and a broad range of creative capabilities and apps. The camera will feature a 4.5” touchscreen LCD display for easy navigation and an LED flash for great images even in low light. Consumers will be able to save their images to a Micro SD card or to the camera’s 4GB of internal storage.

"We are proud to join forces with the iconic Polaroid brand to introduce this new generation of instant products to the market," commented Antonio DeRosa, CEO of Socialmatic™ LLC. "Combining the Polaroid heritage with our new social network technology and the ZINK Technology, we can introduce a unique and innovative camera to consumers."

C&A Licensing, an authorized Polaroid Licensee will produce and distribute the camera, which is slated to arrive in the fall of 2014. Additional specifications including pricing will be available in the coming months, and the Polaroid Socialmatic instant digital camera will be on display at the Polaroid booth #13613 at CES January 7-10 in Las Vegas. For more information, please visit www.polaroid.com/socialmatic or www.social-matic.com.

The Polaroid Brand

Polaroid is one of the most trusted, well-respected and recognizable brands with a rich 75 year history beginning with Polaroid instant film. Our range of products include instant and digital still cameras, high-definition and mountable sports video cameras, tablets and flat-screen TVs that deliver the fun, instant gratification and value for which the brand has long stood. Today, the Polaroid Classic Border Logo rooted in our beginnings of instant photo sharing serves to designate genuine Polaroid branded products. For more information, visit http://www.Polaroid.com.

C&A Licensing is a leading manufacturer and reseller of digital cameras, camcorders, and related accessories in the consumer electronics marketplace. Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, N.J., C&A Licensing is the Polaroid Licensee for instant digital camera, sports video camera, security camera and photo accessories. C&A recently acquired portions of Ritz Camera and Image LLC, including the company’s stores, the Ritzpix Network and the ritzcamera.com, wolfcamera.com and ritzcameraandimage.com websites. With over two decades in business, the depth and breadth of their inventory is constantly expanding as is their presence and reputation in the consumer electronic marketplace.

About Socialmatic LLC

Founded by Artem Shishakin and Antonio De Rosa, Socialmatic LLC is a company focused on creativity and innovation to bring to the market innovative products and solution for a social world. With its over 20 years of founders combined experience, Socialmatic LLC covers industrial design, social media networking and lifestyle concepts.

About ZINK Imaging

ZINK Imaging Inc., a privately held company, was founded to enable millions of customers to enjoy the magic of ZINK® Zero Ink® products. ZINK Imaging invented, manufactures, and is a supplier of the ZINK Printing Technology and the ZINK Paper®. In addition to ZINK hAppy™ branded products, the technology is utilized by partner companies which bring ZINK-enabled products to market under their respective brands. ZINK Imaging’s headquarters and research and development labs are in Massachusetts, with a state of the art manufacturing facility in Whitsett, North Carolina. For more information, please visit www.ZINK.com.

The ZINK® Technology and ZINK® and hAppy™ trademarks are owned by ZINK Imaging, Inc.

Too bad they discontinued polaroid instant film. Would be nice to have a tablet that could of gave you an instant picture of any pictures you took or a snapshot of your screen or downloads like the original polaroid cameras

I still print pictures a few times a year. Well, I actually have them printed at CVS Pharmacy to conserve my printer ink, so I love that Polaroid included the printer. It's fitting. However, wallet size is a bit too small. I'm used to 4 x 6 prints, I guess.

There were a lot of uses for low cost instant pictures that just aren't met in today market. They were great for kids projects for example at church. Sometimes you want to send everyone home with a hard copy.

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